Webster County approves gambling referendum

Webster County residents said “yes” to a new gambling boat on Tuesday, though the effort may be meaningless without an okay from the state legislature as well. Voters approved a plan to bring in a riverboat casino to the Des Moines River at Fort Madison, in addition to a new hotel complex, convention center and aquatic center — along with 350 jobs. The proposal passed 58-to-42-percent. Opponents said the riverboat would bring problem gambling and more bankruptcies. Iowa lawmakers must still approve new gambling licenses, which appears unlikely.